The Unilever Global Development Award: The Coca-Cola Company

Award Type:

Coca-Cola invests in the success of women to boost business sustainability

Action and Impact

The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s biggest drinks business, with more than 500 brands and supply chains that reach around the world. Together with its bottling partners, it ranks among the world’s top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 associates.

Women make up a large proportion of this network, particularly within the company’s supply chain. However the business recognises that women still face many barriers to being successful, with a lack of access to training, financial services and peer-networks and mentors.

5by20 is Coca-Cola’s goal to enable the economic empowerment of 5 million women entrepreneurs across its value chain by 2020 – from fruit farmers to artisans around the world. “We believe women are a catalyst to economic growth and are essential for our long-term business sustainability,” it says. After all, studies show women reinvest more of their income on food, education and healthcare for their family which benefits the whole community. “By investing in their success, we invest in our own success.”

By supporting women, Coca-Cola hopes to lower the cost and sustainability of local supply of ingredients, increase sales and points of distribution, and foster greater employee and consumer engagement.